Polish 17th Century

The Polish state in the 17th Century was one of Europe's great powers. The Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth covered most of modern day Poland, Belarus, Baltic states and large parts of Ukraine and Russia. It was a Polish army led by John Sobieski that saved Vienna from the Ottomans and had a huge influence on the military reforms of Gustavus Adolphus and other states.

This army fought in the Balkans during the Polish-Turkish War of 1614-21 when the Poles invaded Moldavia. The Ottoman counter attack was halted at Chocim in 1621. Frequent border clashes took place throughout the century culminating in the series of wars between 1671 and 1699 that culminated in the Treaty of Karlowitz. Most famously they contributed hugely to the relief of Vienna in 1683.​The standing army had a wide range of troop types of which the most famous are the winged hussars and Cossacks. For more details consult Polish Armies 1569-1696 Osprey MAA 184 and 188 and the Warrior 94 Polish Winged Hussar.